Nassau Legislature Candidates: Meet Debra Siegel

Voters in Nassau County will head to the polls Nov. 5 to cast their ballots for the Legislature.

In District 7 — which includes Oceanside, Rockville Centre, East Rockaway, Cedarhurst, Woodmere, and parts of Hewlett, Lawrence, Baldwin, Valley Stream and Lynbrook — voters will select from two candidates: incumbent Republican Howard Kopel and Democratic challenger Debra Siegel.

Patch reached out to both candidates to hear where they stand on important issues affecting the community.

Here are the responses for those who participated. The answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Debra Siegel

• Age (as of Sept. 1, 2019): 56
• Town of Residence: Rockville Centre
• Position Sought: District 7 Legislator
• Party Affiliation: Democrat
• Family: Husband Scott Davis, sons Tyler and Trent
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? My husband serves as a commissioner at the Nassau County Assessment Review Commission. He was appointed in 2018. If elected, we will discuss whether it is appropriate for him to resign from the position.
• Education: J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. B.A., Queens College, City University of New York
• Occupation: Attorney with The Legal Aid Society for 32 years
• Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None
• Campaign Website: https://www.facebook.com/debrasiegel4nassauleg/

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our district is that many constituents feel underrepresented and voiceless. Whatever the issue, be it taxes, violence in the community or the opioid crisis, it all starts and stops with having a representative who is accessible and will listen. I intend to be a legislator who has her ear to the heartbeat of the entire district, and have a strong presence throughout so that I am not only aware of the concerns and needs in each town encompassing the district, but take action to address those concerns and needs. I would do this by regularly holding town hall meetings around the entire district to continuously keep residents apprised of current issues, as well as be accessible to constituents.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I will bring energy and enthusiasm as a new legislator. Unlike my opponent, I will actively communicate with my constituents. I have already been doing so as a candidate, where I have been meeting with residents in person, knocking on doors and communicating with them to learn about the issues and concerns pertaining to each area that comprises the district. Many constituents have expressed frustration that this has been lacking in the current legislator over the past decade. It’s not about where I live in the district, it’s about where my constituents live and being a representative for all in every area of the district, and do my best to personally address their concerns.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

The current legislator has failed the district by not only being physically absent in many areas that comprise the district, but also being very disconnected with the community he was elected to represent. In the case of my opponent, years in office does not equate with being most qualified. Time after time, when speaking with voters, the responses have consistently been that they do not know who their legislator is, has never seen their legislator and that their complaints, issues and concerns have fallen on deaf ears. The lack of confidence in his leadership as expressed by constituent after constituent and the disconnect my opponent has with so many in his own district is what has led me to run for this position in the first place.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Other issues that define my campaign platform are eliminating the culture of corruption that has been rampant for far too long, promoting transparency and restoring ethical government, and getting things done, rather than contribute to what has been efforts by the current legislative majority to stall and sabotage efforts in passing legislation, all at the taxpayer expense.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have been able to balance both a career as an attorney and raise my children in the public school system, where I have been an active member of the PTA for over 15 years. My background as a litigator and negotiator for over 30 years, where day in and day out I have serve the underserved, coupled with my desire to protect my community from apathy is what best qualities me to run for office.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

The best advice ever shared with me was that sometimes the best thing to do is just shut up and listen.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I would like voters to know that I am grateful to have been able to live and raise my family here in Nassau County. I would like to see the county be a place where young adults can have the same benefits of this community that I have had. This has become more and more challenging. To accomplish this, it starts with support for the County Executive’s effort to eliminate the culture of corruption of the previous administration at the taxpayer expense, increase transparency and restore ethical government, and address quality of life issues.